The Launch Canada Challenge aims to grow the Canadian space launch industry

The Launch Canada Challenge, a national student rocketry competition and conference, is set to take place in Timmins from August 15 to 22. The event aims to grow the Canadian space launch industry and will feature 850 conference attendees, 90 volunteers, and 650 student participants from nine provinces.

The competition will include 31 student teams launching 35 high-powered rockets up to a target altitude of 97,000 feet, with 27 university teams and four high school teams participating. The event will also feature a two-day conference at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex, followed by a five-day launch competition at a site over Mattagami First Nation.

The conference will include an opening ceremony, remarks from the mayor of Timmins and the Mattagami First Nation chief, and talks from aerospace and rocketry experts. Guests will be able to visit exhibits of over 30 student rocketry teams and participate in activities such as rocket painting and a “Rocket Passport” program.

The launch competition will take place from August 17 to 20, with August 21 as a contingency day. A public viewing area will be available at the launch site, with a large screen displaying the Launch Canada livestream and allowing visitors to watch the student teams launch their rockets throughout the day.

The event is open to the public, and a free shuttle will be available between Timmins and the launch site from August 16 to 21. The sponsors of the event include key partners in Canada’s aerospace industry, such as MDA Space, Pratt & Whitney, and NordSpace.

According to Launch Canada, the event has reached a milestone through consistent growth over the past year in participants, volunteers, sponsorships, and partnerships with local businesses. The organization aims to promote the growth of the Canadian space launch industry and provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills and knowledge in the field.

The event schedule is as follows:

* August 15-16: Launch Canada Conference at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex
* August 15-16: Rocket painting at Timmins Square
* August 17-20: Launch Canada Competition at the launch site
* August 21: Contingency day

The conference and competition will be live-streamed, with ground and drone coverage available. The public is invited to attend and witness the achievements of Canada’s top young talent in aerospace.

Article and image source: timminspress.com